Read Online The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn - Free Book Online

earlier.”
    Iris nodded.
    â€œWe can only speculate upon the condition of his estate if his father was as much a spendthrift as rumored. I do hope he does not think you have a grand dowry.”
    â€œMama,” Iris said with a sigh. She didn’t want to talk about this. Not now, at least.
    â€œHe wouldn’t be the first to make that error,” Mrs. Smythe-Smith said blithely. “With all of our connections to the aristocracy—close connections, mind you—people do seem to think we have more than we do.”
    Wisely, Iris held her tongue. When her mother was pontificating on a topic of social importance, it was best not to interrupt.
    â€œWe ran into this with Rose, you know. Somehow it got about that she had fifteen thousand. Can you imagine?”
    Iris could not.
    â€œPerhaps if we’d had but one daughter,” her mother said. “But with five!” She let out a little laugh, the sort that sounded of disbelief and wishful thinking. “We shall be lucky if your brother inherits anything by the time we get all of you married off.”
    â€œI’m sure John will be very comfortable,” Iris said. Her only brother was three years younger than Daisy and still away at school.
    â€œIf he’s lucky, he shall find a girl with fifteen thousand,” her mother said with a caustic laugh. She stood abruptly. “Well. We can sit here all morning speculating over Sir Richard’s motives or we can get on with the day.” She glanced at the clock on her vanity. “I don’t suppose he mentioned when he might arrive?”
    Iris shook her head.
    â€œYou should make sure you’re ready, then. It will not do to keep him waiting. I know that some women think it best not to appear eager, but you know that I think it’s rude.”
    A knock at the door forestalled Iris’s exit, and they both looked up to see a housemaid in the doorway. “Begging your pardon, milady,” she said. “But Lady Sarah is in the drawing room.”
    â€œAh, well, that’s a pleasant surprise,” Mrs. Smythe-Smith said. “I’m sure she’s here to see you, Iris. Run along.”
    Iris headed downstairs to greet her cousin, Lady Sarah Prentice, née Lady Sarah Pleinsworth. Sarah’s mother and Iris’s father were siblings, and as they were reasonably close in age, so were their children.
    Sarah and Iris were but six months apart and had always been friendly, but they had grown closer since Sarah’s marriage to Lord Hugh Prentice the previous year. They had another cousin who was also their age, but Honoria spent most of her time with her husband in Cambridgeshire, whereas both Sarah and Iris lived in London.
    When Iris reached the drawing room, Sarah was sitting on the green sofa, leafing through Pride and Prejudice , which Iris’s mother had obviously left there the day before.
    â€œHave you read this?” Sarah asked without preamble.
    â€œSeveral times. It’s lovely to see you, too.”
    Sarah pulled a face. “We all must have someone with whom we need not stand on ceremony.”
    â€œI tease,” Iris said.
    Sarah glanced at the door. “Is Daisy about?”
    â€œI’m sure she’s making herself scarce. She still hasn’t forgiven you for threatening to run her through with her own violin bow before the musicale.”
    â€œOh, that wasn’t a threat. It was an honest attempt. That girl is lucky she has good reflexes.”
    Iris laughed. “To what do I owe this visit? Or are you simply starved for my sparkling company?”
    Sarah leaned forward, her dark eyes gleaming. “I think you know why I’m here.”
    Iris knew exactly what she meant, but nonetheless, she leaned forward, meeting her cousin’s gaze dead-on. “Illuminate me.”
    â€œSir Richard Kenworthy?”
    â€œWhat about him?”
    â€œI saw him chase after you at the musicale.”
    â€œHe